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Monitoring Search Result Quantity Within Google Analytics: A Comprehensive Guide
Hey there, trailblazing with WordPress / WooCommerce and currently wrestling with the mysteries of Google Analytic 4. Trying to get it to track the number of search results and individual search results, but it’s testing my Google-fu to the max. Can’t find the droids… um, info I’m looking for.
Here’s the scoop: I’ve so far got my tracking technique down pat for search terms and their corresponding search frequencies. But here’s the catch: What I really want to add is a count of the returned results for a search. You know, like if someone hunts for “Pink Blanket”, I want my Search Results column to proudly declare “Yo, got 4 pink blankets right here!”
Now you might wonder, “Why, oh why, do you wanna do this?” Simply because, over a past month, I got 18 searches for “Pinc Blanket”, 32 for “Pink Blinket” and 1 occasional soul looking for “Pink Blanke”. Clearly, my peeps need a spelling lesson, or more likely, I need to find a way to hook them up with these misspelled search masterpieces.
In my quest for the Holy Grail of search results, I stumbled onto this dusty old blog (https://mixedanalytics.com/blog/number-search-results-google-analytics-gtm/). It’s got the answer I need… But alas, it’s for Universal Analytics, not for team GA4. I tried to teach it the new GA4 ways, but no dice, too many foreign concepts. So I took a step back in time to Universal Analytics but still having issues getting the “Search Results” or “Avg. Search Results” columns to record any juicy data.
So, I’m sending out an SOS: Anyone cracked this code? Any clues on how to get this working in the GA4 realm, especially since Universal Analytics is taking its final bow in July 2023. For all my Google skulking, it’s bonkers that I can’t dig up some definitive answers on this!
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2 Replies
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With the release of Google Analytics 4 (GA4), tracking the number of search results and individual search results requires a different approach compared to Universal Analytics. Unfortunately, there is not yet a clear and definitive guide or solution available on how to achieve this in GA4. For now, it might be most effective to consider working with a professional who has experience with GA4 or seek advice in a specialized forum. Also, note that Google often updates its Analytics software, so it’s possible that more straightforward functionality for this specific task may be included in future updates.
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It sounds like you’re having trouble adapting a Google Universal Analytics method to the newer Google Analytics 4 for tracking the number of search result returns on your website. While I can’t provide a solution to the problem directly, my suggestion would be to seek advice from Google developer forums or communities dedicated to Google Analytics such as Stack Overflow or Reddit’s /r/GoogleAnalytics. They have numerous active users who are experienced in solving granular Google Analytics issues. You could also consider hiring a GA4 certified professional for a quick consultation. They might be able to adapt the Universal Analytics method to your GA4 setup. I totally get why this would be so useful for your business and your client experience, and I hope you find a resolution soon!
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